Standard |
Emphasizes competencies and concepts of civil litigation in both federal and state courts. Topics include: federal and state litigation; trial and pretrial proceedings; litigation ethics; and litigation documents, exhibits, investigations, and interviews.
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Competency Areas |
Hours
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Federal and State Litigation |
Class |
5 |
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Trial and Pretrial Proceedings |
D. Lab |
0 |
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Litigation Ethics |
P. Lab/O.B.I. |
0 |
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Litigation Documents, Exhibits, Investigations, and Interviews |
Credit |
5 |
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Prerequisite: |
Program admission, PLS 101 |
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Corequisite: |
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Course Guide |
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Competency |
After completing this
section, the student will: |
Hours |
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Class |
D.Lab |
P.Lab/ O.B.I. |
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FEDERAL AND STATE LITIGATION |
10 |
0 |
0 |
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Litigation of federal and state courts |
Explain the relevance of federal, state, and local rules of procedure. |
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TRIAL AND PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS |
10 |
0 |
0 |
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Trial and pretrial |
Identify trial and pretrial proceedings. |
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Explain what occurs during trial and pretrial proceedings. |
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LITIGATION ETHICS |
5 |
0 |
0 |
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Paralegal ethics |
Describe the ethical restraints placed on lawyers and legal assistants during litigation. |
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LITIGATION DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
INTERVIEWS |
25 |
0 |
0 |
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Documents |
Describe forms commonly used in litigation. |
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Obtain printed forms. |
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Prepare printed forms. |
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Draft litigation documents. |
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Set up document manuals. |
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Obtain signatures. |
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Obtain certified/attested/authenticated documents. |
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Proofread prepared materials. |
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Classify documents/materials. |
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Summarize documents/materials. |
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Coordinate document notarization. |
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File pleadings and/or documents. |
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Interview client. |
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Locate witnesses. |
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Schedule deposition. |
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Prepare for deposition. |
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Index deposition. |
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Summarize deposition. |
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Write a witness statement. |
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Establish record keeping procedures for client. |
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Monitor client's case. |
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Keep client informed. |
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Define terms relevant to litigation. |
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Prepare request for service of process. |
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Monitor service of process. |
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Prepare freedom of information request. |
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Prepare open records request. |
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Give legal notice. |
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Obtain hearing and/or court dates. |
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Access court records. |
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Access administrative/governmental records. |
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Consult with officers of the court, administrative agencies, and resource persons. |
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Assist in case management. |
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Prepare summary of facts, which are legally relevant to a case. |
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Organize files for use during litigation. |
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Prepare exhibits for trial. |
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Explain how to develop evidence necessary to properly litigate civil law matters. |
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Utilize law books of the State of Georgia in the civil law area. |
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Gather documentary and physical evidence. |
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Verify investigative information. |
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Analyze documentary and physical evidence. |
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Conduct nonlegal research. |
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Suggested Resources |
Suggested Resources include textbooks shown below or most
current edition.
Weinstein, M. (1990). Introduction to
civil litigation (2nd ed.). St. Paul: West.
ABA Journal
American Lawyer
Fulton County Daily Report
Georgia State Bar Journal
Legal Economics
Legal Professional
National Paralegal Professional
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